WASHINGTON – They may not like it, but many House liberals look ready to accept a compromise health care bill, putting Democratic leaders well on the way to delivering on President Barack Obama's call for overhaul.
After claiming for months they couldn't vote for a bill without the strongest possible government-run insurance option, liberals are putting aside their disappointment over the weaker version in the legislation for a historic chance to remake America's medical system.
"The current language is far weaker than what I would have preferred, and I think that is also true of the Progressive Caucus," Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said Friday. "But because I did not come up here to participate in gridlock and acrimony, I have told leadership that I am willing to compromise."
Obama privately told House liberals they should chalk up a win.
[...] House floor debate could begin late next week on the sweeping bill that extends coverage to 96 percent of Americans, imposes new requirements on individuals and employers to get insurance and provides subsidies for lower-income people.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Friday, October 30, 2009
So-Called Death Panel Measure Survives in House Health Bill
The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to "death panels" for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.
SOURCE: Fox News
SOURCE: Fox News
Thursday, October 29, 2009
It's alive! End-of-life counseling in health bill
WASHINGTON – It's alive. The Medicare end-of-life planning provision that 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said was tantamount to "death panels" for seniors is staying in the latest Democratic health care bill unveiled Thursday.
The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.
[...] The counseling provision is supported by doctors' groups and AARP, the seniors' lobby. It was not included in health care bills passed by two Senate committees.
SOURCE: Associated Press
The provision allows Medicare to pay for voluntary counseling to help beneficiaries deal with the complex and painful decisions families face when a loved one is approaching death.
[...] The counseling provision is supported by doctors' groups and AARP, the seniors' lobby. It was not included in health care bills passed by two Senate committees.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Reid's Bait and Switch
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had two problems. How would he get the healthcare bill out of the Senate Finance Committee without revealing the glaring potential fissures in his party over the public option on healthcare? And how could he lend a veneer of bipartisanship to a one-party bill?
He couldn't allow a vote on final passage out of the committee with a public option in the bill because he knew that he would lose Democrats and would have no GOP support. But real compromise was always out of the question. He wanted his public option. So he evolved a strategy where the only bill that would be voted on in committee would be one that did not have a public option, all the while planning for the final product to have one.
So he used the bait of a bill with no public option to hook moderate Democrats like Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and the gullible Republican Olympia Snowe (Maine).
SOURCE: Dick Morris
He couldn't allow a vote on final passage out of the committee with a public option in the bill because he knew that he would lose Democrats and would have no GOP support. But real compromise was always out of the question. He wanted his public option. So he evolved a strategy where the only bill that would be voted on in committee would be one that did not have a public option, all the while planning for the final product to have one.
So he used the bait of a bill with no public option to hook moderate Democrats like Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and the gullible Republican Olympia Snowe (Maine).
SOURCE: Dick Morris
The House Health Care Bill: The Mandates
The new House bill, H.R. 3962, builds on its predecessor from July in increasing the financial burden on low-income and moderate-income Americans.
The Individual Mandate. Like the earlier version, this bill requires the uninsured to pay an extra income tax — 2.5% of adjusted gross income above the filing threshold, capped at the national average premium. Paying that tax wouldn’t “buy” anything; those paying this tax would remain uninsured. However, in a bid to decrease the government’s costs, this bill contains higher premiums that low- and moderate-income individuals and families would have to pay for health coverage to avoid the tax. Those premiums would increase rapidly with income, amounting to an additional tax on those with incomes below 4 times the federal poverty level (equivalent to about $88,000 per year for a family of four) ranging from 1.5% to 12%. This tax on low and moderate income Americans would be in addition to a “surtax” on higher incomes ranging up to 5.4%.
The Employer Mandate. The bill imposes a new 8% payroll tax on employers who don’t cover specified percentages of their employees’ health insurance. Employers would have to get the money to pay the tax from someplace, and much of it would come from cutting wages or other benefits. This tax would also not go to pay for any coverage; the bill specifically says that the tax paid by the employer “shall not be applied against the premium of the employee.” Furthermore, since this tax would be lower than the cost of providing health care, especially for low-income workers, this would reduce the incomes of those most likely to be uninsured, or cause them to lose their coverage.
Furthermore, health plans would have to meet new requirements to be specified later by the new “Health Choices Commissioner.” If your employer’s health plan doesn’t meet those requirements, you couldn’t keep it – employers would have five years to bring their plans into compliance. The Commissioner could require coverage of services people don’t want (increasing premiums), and then in the name of “cost containment” prohibit plans from covering services people want but that the Commissioner doesn’t want.
The bottom line is: Almost everybody will pay more, and a new appointed bureaucrat will make your health care choices for you.
SOURCE: Heritage Foundation
The Individual Mandate. Like the earlier version, this bill requires the uninsured to pay an extra income tax — 2.5% of adjusted gross income above the filing threshold, capped at the national average premium. Paying that tax wouldn’t “buy” anything; those paying this tax would remain uninsured. However, in a bid to decrease the government’s costs, this bill contains higher premiums that low- and moderate-income individuals and families would have to pay for health coverage to avoid the tax. Those premiums would increase rapidly with income, amounting to an additional tax on those with incomes below 4 times the federal poverty level (equivalent to about $88,000 per year for a family of four) ranging from 1.5% to 12%. This tax on low and moderate income Americans would be in addition to a “surtax” on higher incomes ranging up to 5.4%.
The Employer Mandate. The bill imposes a new 8% payroll tax on employers who don’t cover specified percentages of their employees’ health insurance. Employers would have to get the money to pay the tax from someplace, and much of it would come from cutting wages or other benefits. This tax would also not go to pay for any coverage; the bill specifically says that the tax paid by the employer “shall not be applied against the premium of the employee.” Furthermore, since this tax would be lower than the cost of providing health care, especially for low-income workers, this would reduce the incomes of those most likely to be uninsured, or cause them to lose their coverage.
Furthermore, health plans would have to meet new requirements to be specified later by the new “Health Choices Commissioner.” If your employer’s health plan doesn’t meet those requirements, you couldn’t keep it – employers would have five years to bring their plans into compliance. The Commissioner could require coverage of services people don’t want (increasing premiums), and then in the name of “cost containment” prohibit plans from covering services people want but that the Commissioner doesn’t want.
The bottom line is: Almost everybody will pay more, and a new appointed bureaucrat will make your health care choices for you.
SOURCE: Heritage Foundation
Pelosi: New health care bill is 'historic moment'
After months of struggle, House Democrats unveiled sweeping legislation Thursday to extend health care coverage to millions who lack it and create a new option of government-run insurance. A vote is likely next week on the plan patterned closely on President Barack Obama's own.
[...] Officials said the measure, once fully phased in over several years, would extend coverage to 96 percent of Americans. Its principal mechanism is creation of a new government-regulated insurance "exchange" where private companies could sell policies in competition with the government. Federal subsidies would be available to millions of lower-income individuals and families to help them afford the policies.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Town Hall
[...] Officials said the measure, once fully phased in over several years, would extend coverage to 96 percent of Americans. Its principal mechanism is creation of a new government-regulated insurance "exchange" where private companies could sell policies in competition with the government. Federal subsidies would be available to millions of lower-income individuals and families to help them afford the policies.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Town Hall
House Democrats unveil healthcare legislation including public option
"Most of you all thought the public option was dead," said Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a Pelosi ally. "Rumors of its death were greatly exaggerated."
The House bill will include sweeping new regulation of the insurance industry, prohibiting companies from denying coverage to sick people. And it will provide subsidies to millions of Americans to help them buy insurance in a regulated exchange, where commercial insurers would offer plans alongside the government option.
It also mandates that Americans buy insurance, and requires large employers to provide their workers with health benefits.
All Americans making less than 150% of the federal poverty level -- $16,245 for an individual and $33,075 for a family of four -- would be eligible for Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for the poor.
[...] The bill will be funded largely by a combination of cuts in Medicare -- many of them designed to make the program more efficient -- and a 5.4% surtax on individual taxpayers making more than $500,000 and couples making more than $1 million.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
The House bill will include sweeping new regulation of the insurance industry, prohibiting companies from denying coverage to sick people. And it will provide subsidies to millions of Americans to help them buy insurance in a regulated exchange, where commercial insurers would offer plans alongside the government option.
It also mandates that Americans buy insurance, and requires large employers to provide their workers with health benefits.
All Americans making less than 150% of the federal poverty level -- $16,245 for an individual and $33,075 for a family of four -- would be eligible for Medicaid, the federal-state insurance program for the poor.
[...] The bill will be funded largely by a combination of cuts in Medicare -- many of them designed to make the program more efficient -- and a 5.4% surtax on individual taxpayers making more than $500,000 and couples making more than $1 million.
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
House health-care reform bill to include public option
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will unveil a health-care reform bill on Thursday that includes a government insurance option and a historic expansion of Medicaid, although sticking points in the legislation involving abortion and immigration remain unresolved.
[...] Senior Democratic House aides said the bill would likely include a version of the "public option" preferred by moderates and may raise Medicaid eligibility levels to 150 percent of the federal poverty level for all adults, a steeper increase than in earlier drafts.
The House legislation aims to provide health insurance of one form or another to almost all Americans at an expected cost just below $900 billion over 10 years, without increasing the federal budget deficit for at least 20 years, House Democrats said. Pelosi (D-Calif.) was awaiting official data Wednesday night from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, but was aiming to release the legislation at an event Thursday morning.
SOURCE: Washington Post
[...] Senior Democratic House aides said the bill would likely include a version of the "public option" preferred by moderates and may raise Medicaid eligibility levels to 150 percent of the federal poverty level for all adults, a steeper increase than in earlier drafts.
The House legislation aims to provide health insurance of one form or another to almost all Americans at an expected cost just below $900 billion over 10 years, without increasing the federal budget deficit for at least 20 years, House Democrats said. Pelosi (D-Calif.) was awaiting official data Wednesday night from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, but was aiming to release the legislation at an event Thursday morning.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Pelosi hopes new health plan is poised to pass
WASHINGTON — The retooled health care overhaul plan that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to unveil Thursday would extend coverage to millions and lets the government sell insurance in competition with private insurers — although not the way liberals want.
[...] Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to have the legislation on the floor next week, with a final vote before Veterans Day, Nov. 11, that would give Obama a bill to sign by year's end, numerous Democratic officials said. She planned a formal announcement of the bill Thursday in front of the Capitol.
The bill would require nearly everyone by 2013 to sign up for health coverage either through their employer, a government program or a new kind of purchasing pool called an exchange. Tax credits would be available for most of those buying coverage through the exchange. They would have the option of picking a new government plan or private insurance.
SOURCE: Associated Press
[...] Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to have the legislation on the floor next week, with a final vote before Veterans Day, Nov. 11, that would give Obama a bill to sign by year's end, numerous Democratic officials said. She planned a formal announcement of the bill Thursday in front of the Capitol.
The bill would require nearly everyone by 2013 to sign up for health coverage either through their employer, a government program or a new kind of purchasing pool called an exchange. Tax credits would be available for most of those buying coverage through the exchange. They would have the option of picking a new government plan or private insurance.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Will Reid Retreat? Resistance to Government Health Plan Could Force Compromise
In a blow to Reid, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, said Tuesday that he would support a Republican filibuster unless the bill is changed. Other key Democratic moderates, including Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, also said they were uncertain how they'd vote.
[...] With all 40 Republicans in the Senate opposing his bill, Reid would need unanimous support from the 60 Democrats to cut off debate and bring the measure to a vote. Though he was known to be short of the threshold before Monday's announcement, some Democrats hoped that by calling it a done deal, Reid could convince those lawmakers with reservations about the bill to vote at least to cut off debate -- even if they planned to vote against the bill in the end. Then Reid would need only 51 supporters to pass the bill.
SOURCE: Fox News
[...] With all 40 Republicans in the Senate opposing his bill, Reid would need unanimous support from the 60 Democrats to cut off debate and bring the measure to a vote. Though he was known to be short of the threshold before Monday's announcement, some Democrats hoped that by calling it a done deal, Reid could convince those lawmakers with reservations about the bill to vote at least to cut off debate -- even if they planned to vote against the bill in the end. Then Reid would need only 51 supporters to pass the bill.
SOURCE: Fox News
Centrists unsure about Reid's public option
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid's risky decision to bring to the chamber's floor a health-care bill containing a government insurance plan was met with skepticism by moderate Democrats, who said they still do not know whether they could support a public option on a final vote.
[...] Democrats expect Reid to spend the days ahead attempting to secure commitments from all 60 members of his caucus to allow the Senate to begin debate on the legislation...
[...] But lawmakers said that if moderates' concerns do not prevent the Senate bill from advancing next month, the opt-out provision could be ditched on the floor.
SOURCE: Washington Post
[...] Democrats expect Reid to spend the days ahead attempting to secure commitments from all 60 members of his caucus to allow the Senate to begin debate on the legislation...
[...] But lawmakers said that if moderates' concerns do not prevent the Senate bill from advancing next month, the opt-out provision could be ditched on the floor.
SOURCE: Washington Post
Dem moderates challenge Reid on health care plan
WASHINGTON – Democratic moderates who control the balance of power on health care legislation balked Tuesday at a government-run insurance option for millions of Americans, underscoring the enormity of the challenge confronting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid one day after he unveiled the plan as a consensus product.
Republican opposition stiffened, and party leaders announced they would attempt to strangle the bill before formal debate begins.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo
Republican opposition stiffened, and party leaders announced they would attempt to strangle the bill before formal debate begins.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo
Searching For Sixty
Moderate Democrats in the Senate were underwhelmed with the plan of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to include a public insurance option in a major health reform bill, as it quickly became obvious that Democrats don't have 60 votes to stop a filibuster.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Senate Health Update
It's a busy day in the hallways off the Senate Chamber, as it's become clear that Sen. Harry Reid does not have 60 votes right now for a health reform bill with a public insurance option.
First, two GOP Senators who Democrats have talked about possibly supporting health reform made clear today that they are not on board.
Both Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) expressed their disappointment with Reid's decision to include a public option in an emerging Senate health reform bill.
Meanwhile, reporters besieged Democrats who have been on the fence about reform legislation to see where they stand on Reid's plan.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
First, two GOP Senators who Democrats have talked about possibly supporting health reform made clear today that they are not on board.
Both Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) expressed their disappointment with Reid's decision to include a public option in an emerging Senate health reform bill.
Meanwhile, reporters besieged Democrats who have been on the fence about reform legislation to see where they stand on Reid's plan.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Lieberman to vote for a filabuster
Liberals have one more reason to love to hate Joe Lieberman.
Politico's reporting that the independent Connecticut senator who caucuses with the Democrats -- and backed the Iraq war and staunchly supported John McCain's presidential bid -- said he would vote with a potential Republican filibuster of Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill because it includes a public option.
Here are the quotes:
SOURCE: MSNBC
Politico's reporting that the independent Connecticut senator who caucuses with the Democrats -- and backed the Iraq war and staunchly supported John McCain's presidential bid -- said he would vote with a potential Republican filibuster of Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill because it includes a public option.
Here are the quotes:
"We're trying to do too much at once. To put this government-created insurance company on top of everything else is just asking for trouble for the taxpayers, for the premium payers and for the national debt. I don’t think we need it now."
He'd vote against a plan with a public option “even with an opt-out because it still creates a whole new government entitlement program for which taxpayers will be on the line. ... I've told Sen. Reid that if the bill stays as it is now I will vote against cloture."
SOURCE: MSNBC
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Reid announces push for public option
Reid worked most of the weekend, convening several meetings with his leadership – and wrangling over the details with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Reid is expected to send the public option proposal to the Congressional Budget Office on Monday, and discuss the strategy Tuesday with the Democratic caucus.
SOURCE: Politico
Reid is expected to send the public option proposal to the Congressional Budget Office on Monday, and discuss the strategy Tuesday with the Democratic caucus.
SOURCE: Politico
Senate on Verge of Health Bill
WASHINGTON -- Top Senate Democrats are close to finalizing their health bill and could unveil a measure as soon as early this week that would include stiffer penalties on employers who fail to provide health coverage.
Senate leaders plan to submit the bill to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost estimate as soon as Monday, and make the legislation public as soon as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Senate leaders plan to submit the bill to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost estimate as soon as Monday, and make the legislation public as soon as Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Monday, October 26, 2009
Senate Health Bill Includes Public Option
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Monday that health-care legislation that comes before the Senate will have a government-run health-insurance option that states can choose not to carry.
The Nevada Democrat told reporters that, under the legislation, states would have until 2014 to choose to "opt out" of the public plan.
Liberal lawmakers and groups cheered Mr. Reid's announcement. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D., W.Va.), who has argued forcefully in favor of a public plan, in a statement said he is "gratified to see the public option debate is alive and well in the Senate."
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
The Nevada Democrat told reporters that, under the legislation, states would have until 2014 to choose to "opt out" of the public plan.
Liberal lawmakers and groups cheered Mr. Reid's announcement. Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D., W.Va.), who has argued forcefully in favor of a public plan, in a statement said he is "gratified to see the public option debate is alive and well in the Senate."
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Senate bill to include public option
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats say Majority Leader Harry Reid intends to include an option for government-run insurance coverage in health care legislation headed for the floor, with an announcement set for later in the day.
Reid signaled his support for a so-called public option last week, but has yet to discuss his plans in public.
Democratic officials spoke on condition of anonymity since the announcement has not been made yet.
Reid is expected to discuss the emerging legislation on Tuesday with members of his party's rank and file.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Reid signaled his support for a so-called public option last week, but has yet to discuss his plans in public.
Democratic officials spoke on condition of anonymity since the announcement has not been made yet.
Reid is expected to discuss the emerging legislation on Tuesday with members of his party's rank and file.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Maybe Next Year?
We are now into the last week in October, as Democrats play a Big Ten style of political, field position football, trying to grind their way down the field on health care reform. It prompts a good question - When Will It End?
We'll see if we get legislative language this week from Democrats in the House, and at least the outlines of a final deal in the Senate.
The clock is ticking, even for Democrats to hold a vote in the House before Thanksgiving.
There are only four work weeks until the weekend before Thanksgiving week, with a mini-break for Veteran's Day sandwiched in there on November 11.
With all of the behind the scenes work that has to go on, four weeks might barely be enough time for the House to vote.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
We'll see if we get legislative language this week from Democrats in the House, and at least the outlines of a final deal in the Senate.
The clock is ticking, even for Democrats to hold a vote in the House before Thanksgiving.
There are only four work weeks until the weekend before Thanksgiving week, with a mini-break for Veteran's Day sandwiched in there on November 11.
With all of the behind the scenes work that has to go on, four weeks might barely be enough time for the House to vote.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Clock ticking on Democrats' health care reform
WASHINGTON (AP) - Time growing short, Democratic leaders in the House and Senate still face key decisions if they are to achieve President Barack Obama's goal of passing legislation to remake the nation's health care system by year's end.
In the House, that means setting conditions under which the federal government would sell coverage in competition with private industry. The remaining disagreements among rank and file Democrats revolve largely around the fees to be paid doctors and hospitals under the plan, and whether they should be dictated by federal officials or established in negotiations.
And in the Senate, it means deciding whether legislation will give the government a role in the marketplace at all, and if so, what rights individual states would have in deciding whether to participate.
Both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are expected to make their decisions this week in hopes the long-delayed bills can come to a vote in early November.
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
In the House, that means setting conditions under which the federal government would sell coverage in competition with private industry. The remaining disagreements among rank and file Democrats revolve largely around the fees to be paid doctors and hospitals under the plan, and whether they should be dictated by federal officials or established in negotiations.
And in the Senate, it means deciding whether legislation will give the government a role in the marketplace at all, and if so, what rights individual states would have in deciding whether to participate.
Both Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are expected to make their decisions this week in hopes the long-delayed bills can come to a vote in early November.
SOURCE: Associated Press > My Way News
Democratic leadership 'leaning strongly' toward opt-out for public healthcare plan
Democratic senators continued to remain bullish on the chances of creating a government-run public option as part of health reform.
But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) predicted Sunday that last week's Medicare "doc fix" vote was a sign of trouble to come for Democrats in trying to rally enough votes to push through a government-run health insurance option.
Senate Democratic Caucus chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Sunday that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is "very close" to getting the 60 votes needed to move forward with a healthcare reform bill in the Senate.
SOURCE: The Hill
But Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) predicted Sunday that last week's Medicare "doc fix" vote was a sign of trouble to come for Democrats in trying to rally enough votes to push through a government-run health insurance option.
Senate Democratic Caucus chairman Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on Sunday that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is "very close" to getting the 60 votes needed to move forward with a healthcare reform bill in the Senate.
SOURCE: The Hill
Why Government Health Care Keeps Falling in the Polls
Regardless of how President Barack Obama's health-care agenda plays out in Congress, it has not been a success in public opinion. Opposition to ObamaCare has risen all year.
According to the Gallup polling organization, the percentage of Americans who believe the cost of health care for their families will "get worse" under the proposed reforms rose to 49% from 42% in just the past month. The percentage saying it would "get better" stayed at 22%.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
According to the Gallup polling organization, the percentage of Americans who believe the cost of health care for their families will "get worse" under the proposed reforms rose to 49% from 42% in just the past month. The percentage saying it would "get better" stayed at 22%.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Pelosi lacks votes for most sweeping public option
Speaker Nancy Pelosi counted votes Thursday night and determined she could not pass a “robust public option” — the most aggressive of the three forms of a public option House Democrats have been considering as part of a national overhaul of health care.
The California Democrat's count — coupled with a significant turn of events Thursday during a private White House meeting — points to an increasingly likely compromise for a “trigger” option for a government plan.
SOURCE: Politico
The California Democrat's count — coupled with a significant turn of events Thursday during a private White House meeting — points to an increasingly likely compromise for a “trigger” option for a government plan.
SOURCE: Politico
Patients--and patience--in health care end game
Neither of the government-run options had received pledges of support from 60 senators but both could hit that threshold, Reid told Obama, according to congressional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive talks.
One version would use the public option as a threat that would kick in if private insurers do not lower premium costs by certain deadlines. Some liberal senators would have trouble voting for that one, Reid said. The other would allow states to opt out of the public option, chief proponent Schumer told Obama.
The meeting ended with the president pledging to help rally support for whichever version crosses the 60-vote threshold first.
[...] Much depends on each lawmaker's needs — political, substantive, even temperamental — leading up to an election in which all 435 House members and one-third of the 100-member Senate face election. The calculus is different for each member on the fence.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
One version would use the public option as a threat that would kick in if private insurers do not lower premium costs by certain deadlines. Some liberal senators would have trouble voting for that one, Reid said. The other would allow states to opt out of the public option, chief proponent Schumer told Obama.
The meeting ended with the president pledging to help rally support for whichever version crosses the 60-vote threshold first.
[...] Much depends on each lawmaker's needs — political, substantive, even temperamental — leading up to an election in which all 435 House members and one-third of the 100-member Senate face election. The calculus is different for each member on the fence.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Friday, October 23, 2009
Counting Health Noses
As Democratic leaders met with President Obama at the White House, their vote counters were still trying to figure out on Thursday how many members were in the "yes" column when it comes to health care reform.
And there were conflicting signals for those watching the hallways of the Capitol as well.
Democrats in the House have been doing all they can in recent days to foster a sense of inevitability about health care reform - that it is going to be approved by the Congress.
"We will have a bill that will go to the floor, and it will have a public option in it," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a news conference.
"And there is support in our Caucus to do that; I have said that over and over again and I stand by it. The question is, what form does that (public option) take? "
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
And there were conflicting signals for those watching the hallways of the Capitol as well.
Democrats in the House have been doing all they can in recent days to foster a sense of inevitability about health care reform - that it is going to be approved by the Congress.
"We will have a bill that will go to the floor, and it will have a public option in it," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a news conference.
"And there is support in our Caucus to do that; I have said that over and over again and I stand by it. The question is, what form does that (public option) take? "
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
No Health Amendments?
At the end of a Friday morning news conference on health care reform, Speaker Nancy Pelosi raised the possibility of not allowing any amendments to be offered on the House floor to the Democratic health care bill.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Pelosi: New Flexibility for House on Public Option
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday that new momentum behind a public insurance option in the Senate is giving House Democrats more flexibility in structuring their version of the proposal.
“The atmosphere has changed,” Pelosi said at a news conference. “When we were dealing with the idea that the Senate would have nothing, it was really important to go in again with the most muscle for the middle class with a robust public option.”
Pelosi’s remarks came as her staff pushed back on Friday reports that she has decided to ditch a public insurance option pegged to Medicare rates — the approach preferred by liberals — after a three-day whip effort revealed it lacks the necessary support. Pelosi said no decision has been made on the issue, even as she made the case that her focus is on getting some form of the public option — whether pegged to Medicare or negotiated with providers — out of conference negotiations with the Senate. “This is about the endgame now,” she said.
SOURCE: The Hill
“The atmosphere has changed,” Pelosi said at a news conference. “When we were dealing with the idea that the Senate would have nothing, it was really important to go in again with the most muscle for the middle class with a robust public option.”
Pelosi’s remarks came as her staff pushed back on Friday reports that she has decided to ditch a public insurance option pegged to Medicare rates — the approach preferred by liberals — after a three-day whip effort revealed it lacks the necessary support. Pelosi said no decision has been made on the issue, even as she made the case that her focus is on getting some form of the public option — whether pegged to Medicare or negotiated with providers — out of conference negotiations with the Senate. “This is about the endgame now,” she said.
SOURCE: The Hill
Public health-insurance option gains speed
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is moving toward including a public health-insurance option in the final bill he will send to the floor, senators briefed on the issue said Thursday, putting a dramatic end to a week of steadily gaining momentum for the lightning-rod provision.
Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said they had been told that Reid and others negotiating the final bill are considering the plan.
"I'm not part of those discussions. What I'm hearing is that this is the direction of the conversation," said Conrad, who supports an alternative approach under which nonprofit co-ops would compete with private industry.
"I keep hearing there is a lot of leaning toward some sort of national public option, unfortunately, from my standpoint," Nelson said.
The White House declined to comment.
SOURCE: Denver Post
Sens. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Kent Conrad, D-N.D., said they had been told that Reid and others negotiating the final bill are considering the plan.
"I'm not part of those discussions. What I'm hearing is that this is the direction of the conversation," said Conrad, who supports an alternative approach under which nonprofit co-ops would compete with private industry.
"I keep hearing there is a lot of leaning toward some sort of national public option, unfortunately, from my standpoint," Nelson said.
The White House declined to comment.
SOURCE: Denver Post
Optional public option enters Senate health care talks
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democratic leaders met Thursday night with White House officials to consider including a government-funded public health insurance option, along with a provision allowing states to opt out of it, in a health care overhaul bill.
Sen. Olympia Snowe has been the only GOP supporter of health care legislation.
Two senior Democratic Senate sources told CNN that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is leaning toward a public option with the state opt-out provision in the Senate health care bill that will reach the full chamber in coming weeks.
According to one source familiar with the White House meeting, the matter was discussed with President Obama but no decisions were made.
SOURCE: CNN
Sen. Olympia Snowe has been the only GOP supporter of health care legislation.
Two senior Democratic Senate sources told CNN that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is leaning toward a public option with the state opt-out provision in the Senate health care bill that will reach the full chamber in coming weeks.
According to one source familiar with the White House meeting, the matter was discussed with President Obama but no decisions were made.
SOURCE: CNN
Healthcare for Christmas: Reid under pressure to slow down
The healthcare reform debate will be pushed deep into December and possibly beyond by a lengthy floor debate, several senators predicted Thursday.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is under pressure from a group of centrist Republicans and Democrats who are demanding a go-slow approach.
SOURCE: The Hill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is under pressure from a group of centrist Republicans and Democrats who are demanding a go-slow approach.
SOURCE: The Hill
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Senate Democratic Leaders Wrap Up Meeting With Obama
Senate Democratic leaders departed the White House on Thursday evening after a meeting with President Barack Obama that was expected to delve into the effort to combine Senate health care reform bills. The group left without comment.
Included in the session were Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), and Sens. Patty Murray (Wash.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.).
White House officials were not immediately available for comment.
SOURCE: The Hill
Included in the session were Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), and Sens. Patty Murray (Wash.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.).
White House officials were not immediately available for comment.
SOURCE: The Hill
Negotiators weigh public health option
WASHINGTON – White House officials and senior Senate Democrats at work on health care legislation are strongly considering a requirement for the federal government to sell insurance in direct competition with private industry, officials said Thursday, with individual states permitted to drop out of the system.
Liberals in Congress long have viewed such an approach, called a public option, as an essential ingredient of the effort to overhaul the nation's health care system, and President Barack Obama has said frequently he favors it. But he has also made clear it is not essential to the legislation he seeks, a gesture to Democratic moderates who generally have shied away from it.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Liberals in Congress long have viewed such an approach, called a public option, as an essential ingredient of the effort to overhaul the nation's health care system, and President Barack Obama has said frequently he favors it. But he has also made clear it is not essential to the legislation he seeks, a gesture to Democratic moderates who generally have shied away from it.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The Public Option Comeback
In particular, Mrs. Pelosi believes she's found a political trump. A so-called "robust" public option will cost the government less than other plans, since it will pay doctors and hospitals fees pegged to Medicare's price controls on thousands of services. The Congressional Budget Office has reportedly found that these below-market payments would result in "savings" of $110 billion, compared to requiring a public option to negotiate rates with providers like a private company would.
Yet as the government pays less, the private sector pays more. Like Medicare today, hospitals will shift some of their losses into higher private insurance premiums. Meanwhile, the public option's premiums will be artificially lower, even before the heavy subsidies that Democrats plan to offer. As private insurance costs increase, private payers will lose market share, intensifying the cost-shift and precipitating an exodus to government from commercial carriers.
Democrats dismiss cost-shifting as a tall tale of the health industry. After all, if providers can increase their revenue by charging private payers more, why haven't they already exhausted this opportunity? Perhaps because, contrary to Washington's fantasy of robber baron doctors, very few hospitals behave like classical profit-maximizing firms. Most are nonprofit institutions with social missions.
[...] But the reality is that no one wants a public option except the political left. Doctors and hospitals hate the idea as much as insurers do—and they're far from natural allies. The media are able to counterfeit public support, such as this week's Washington Post/ABC News poll showing 57% in favor, only by asking rigged questions about "choice" and "competition." Who's opposed to that?
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Yet as the government pays less, the private sector pays more. Like Medicare today, hospitals will shift some of their losses into higher private insurance premiums. Meanwhile, the public option's premiums will be artificially lower, even before the heavy subsidies that Democrats plan to offer. As private insurance costs increase, private payers will lose market share, intensifying the cost-shift and precipitating an exodus to government from commercial carriers.
Democrats dismiss cost-shifting as a tall tale of the health industry. After all, if providers can increase their revenue by charging private payers more, why haven't they already exhausted this opportunity? Perhaps because, contrary to Washington's fantasy of robber baron doctors, very few hospitals behave like classical profit-maximizing firms. Most are nonprofit institutions with social missions.
[...] But the reality is that no one wants a public option except the political left. Doctors and hospitals hate the idea as much as insurers do—and they're far from natural allies. The media are able to counterfeit public support, such as this week's Washington Post/ABC News poll showing 57% in favor, only by asking rigged questions about "choice" and "competition." Who's opposed to that?
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Liberals Open Fire on Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is feeling the heat from his liberal colleagues to include a government-run health insurance plan, or "public option," in the Senate health care bill.
Now, as Reid and other negotiators move closer to unveiling their health care plan, liberal advocacy groups are ratcheting up the pressure, saying they will run Reid out of Washington if he does not bring a public option to the Senate floor. With a tough re-election bid ahead of Reid next year, the liberal "Netroots" could potentially make good on their threat. Coming from a purple state, that puts Reid between a rock and a hard place -- and has some local progressive activists at least somewhat worried.
SOURCE: CBS News
Now, as Reid and other negotiators move closer to unveiling their health care plan, liberal advocacy groups are ratcheting up the pressure, saying they will run Reid out of Washington if he does not bring a public option to the Senate floor. With a tough re-election bid ahead of Reid next year, the liberal "Netroots" could potentially make good on their threat. Coming from a purple state, that puts Reid between a rock and a hard place -- and has some local progressive activists at least somewhat worried.
SOURCE: CBS News
Public Option Shows Signs of Life
Not long ago, as attention centered on the Senate Finance Committee's moderate health- care reform bill, pundits dismissed the idea of a publicly run insurance program to compete with private insurers as all but dead. Now, as Senate leaders are close to merging that bill with a more liberal alternative passed earlier in the summer, the public option -- a sort of Medicare for the masses -- appears to be making a comeback.
In one sense, it's small surprise: While the Finance Committee explicitly rejected the public option, some version of the idea featured prominently in other major reform bills pending in the House and Senate. The Senate is expected to come up with its merged bill in the next week or so, and the House will deliver its own unified legislation soon after. Then the real jousting will begin.
SOURCE: MSNBC
In one sense, it's small surprise: While the Finance Committee explicitly rejected the public option, some version of the idea featured prominently in other major reform bills pending in the House and Senate. The Senate is expected to come up with its merged bill in the next week or so, and the House will deliver its own unified legislation soon after. Then the real jousting will begin.
SOURCE: MSNBC
Key Senators May Rebuff Obama on Health Care
WASHINGTON - The Democrats' control of a hefty majority in the Senate -- plus the House -- would suggest that President Barack Obama is within reach of overhauling the nation's health care system this fall.
But the numbers mask a more complicated reality: Obama and Democratic leaders have modest leverage over several pivotal Senate Democrats who are more concerned about their next election or feel they have little to lose by opposing their party's hierarchy.
One is still smarting from being forced to abandon next year's election. Another had to leave the Democratic Party to stay in office. And some are from states that Obama lost badly last year.
These factors will limit the president's ability to play his strongest card -- an appeal for party loyalty and Democratic achievement -- in trying to muster the 60 votes his allies will need this fall to overcome a Republican filibuster in the 100-member Senate.
SOURCE: Fox News
But the numbers mask a more complicated reality: Obama and Democratic leaders have modest leverage over several pivotal Senate Democrats who are more concerned about their next election or feel they have little to lose by opposing their party's hierarchy.
One is still smarting from being forced to abandon next year's election. Another had to leave the Democratic Party to stay in office. And some are from states that Obama lost badly last year.
These factors will limit the president's ability to play his strongest card -- an appeal for party loyalty and Democratic achievement -- in trying to muster the 60 votes his allies will need this fall to overcome a Republican filibuster in the 100-member Senate.
SOURCE: Fox News
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
"Doc fix" remains broken
Thirteen Democrats joined all 40 Republicans to block a permanent repeal of Medicare's payment formula for doctors, with lawmakers concluding the legislation's $247 billion 10-year price tag was too steep in an era of record deficits.
The so-called "doc fix" is a near-annual ritual in Congress aimed at preventing physicians from turning away Medicare patients because they are paid too little for the visits. A 1997 deficit-reduction law established federal spending targets that were linked to economic growth, but when medical costs continued to rise at a faster pace, the net effect was to require a huge yearly cut to doctor reimbursement rates. As of Jan. 1, 2010, doctors are scheduled for another 21 percent decrease.
SOURCE: Washington Post
The so-called "doc fix" is a near-annual ritual in Congress aimed at preventing physicians from turning away Medicare patients because they are paid too little for the visits. A 1997 deficit-reduction law established federal spending targets that were linked to economic growth, but when medical costs continued to rise at a faster pace, the net effect was to require a huge yearly cut to doctor reimbursement rates. As of Jan. 1, 2010, doctors are scheduled for another 21 percent decrease.
SOURCE: Washington Post
House Committee Votes Against Antitrust Protection
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A House committee has voted to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as senators announced plans to take the same step.
The moves Wednesday signaled a growing determination by Democrats to punish the insurance industry for its criticism of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul agenda. The House Judiciary Committee voted 20 to 9 to repeal a 1940s law that exempted the health insurance industry from federal controls over certain antitrust violations including price-fixing.
SOURCE: New York Times
The moves Wednesday signaled a growing determination by Democrats to punish the insurance industry for its criticism of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul agenda. The House Judiciary Committee voted 20 to 9 to repeal a 1940s law that exempted the health insurance industry from federal controls over certain antitrust violations including price-fixing.
SOURCE: New York Times
Cloture Vote on S. 1776 at 2:15 PM in Senate
Just in from Freedom Works VP for Policy Max Pappas:
Today’s cloture vote is key–if they get this through, they will have come through in buying off the doctors and will keep lying about the overhaul reducing the deficit.”
Tell [Senators] to oppose cloture on S. 1776. Supporting cloture is an endorsement of the Democrats’ strategy to pass Obamacare and will seriously increase the deficit.
SOURCE: RedState
“The Senate is going to vote cloture on S.1776 this afternoon around 2 pm."
Today’s cloture vote is key–if they get this through, they will have come through in buying off the doctors and will keep lying about the overhaul reducing the deficit.”
Tell [Senators] to oppose cloture on S. 1776. Supporting cloture is an endorsement of the Democrats’ strategy to pass Obamacare and will seriously increase the deficit.
SOURCE: RedState
Senate revisits public healthcare option
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Senate Democratic leaders, pressed by the party's liberal wing, are considering reviving a public option in the U.S. healthcare reform bill, lawmakers said.
The Senate Finance Committee bill doesn't include a government health insurance plan. However, the idea has gained strength recently as Democrats -- including moderates -- want to ensure that medical policies Americans would be forced to buy are affordable, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
SOURCE: United Press International
The Senate Finance Committee bill doesn't include a government health insurance plan. However, the idea has gained strength recently as Democrats -- including moderates -- want to ensure that medical policies Americans would be forced to buy are affordable, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
SOURCE: United Press International
Pelosi Prepares to Move Ahead With 'Robust' Public Option
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is on the verge of pushing ahead with a liberal version of the public insurance option in a health care overhaul, pending the result of a final survey of House Democrats on the issue.
[...] Pelosi asked Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and his team to spend the next 24 hours testing whether the proposal will gather at least 218 votes, top House aides said. Democratic leaders are also awaiting final estimates from the Congressional Budget Office on the preferred version — known as the robust public option — and two others that would rely on rates the federal government would negotiate with providers.
Liberal leaders sounded confident their version would garner the support it needs.
SOURCE: Roll Call
[...] Pelosi asked Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and his team to spend the next 24 hours testing whether the proposal will gather at least 218 votes, top House aides said. Democratic leaders are also awaiting final estimates from the Congressional Budget Office on the preferred version — known as the robust public option — and two others that would rely on rates the federal government would negotiate with providers.
Liberal leaders sounded confident their version would garner the support it needs.
SOURCE: Roll Call
Centrists Jockey for Next Phase
Senate health care talks entered a crucial stage Tuesday as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) was drawn deeper into the negotiations, Democratic moderates jockeyed to position themselves, and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) prepared to make some tough decisions.
Snowe began working closely with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) this week, and the two met jointly with Reid on Monday and convened a group of six centrists — including fellow GOP moderate Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) — Tuesday afternoon to talk about health care.
With Reid aiming to finalize the merger of the Finance Committee package and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill this week, both Snowe and Nelson said they were looking to shape the final product in hopes of supporting it.
SOURCE: Roll Call
Snowe began working closely with Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) this week, and the two met jointly with Reid on Monday and convened a group of six centrists — including fellow GOP moderate Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) — Tuesday afternoon to talk about health care.
With Reid aiming to finalize the merger of the Finance Committee package and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee bill this week, both Snowe and Nelson said they were looking to shape the final product in hopes of supporting it.
SOURCE: Roll Call
Insurance exchanges called key to health care puzzle
There are five different versions of health care reform bills, which now must be merged before the House and Senate can vote on the legislation.
Snowe said that she hopes the fines will not appear in the final legislation and that there will be a national exchange instead of smaller state or regional ones.
A national exchange, she said, is important for efficiency and competition, especially in small states like hers where there are few insurance options.
SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle
Snowe said that she hopes the fines will not appear in the final legislation and that there will be a national exchange instead of smaller state or regional ones.
A national exchange, she said, is important for efficiency and competition, especially in small states like hers where there are few insurance options.
SOURCE: San Francisco Chronicle
Daily Presidential Tracking Poll
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13.
[...] Support for the health care plan proposed by the President and Congressional Democrats is down to 42%. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed.
SOURCE: Rasmussen
[...] Support for the health care plan proposed by the President and Congressional Democrats is down to 42%. Fifty-four percent (54%) are opposed.
SOURCE: Rasmussen
Obama Takes a Health Care Hiatus
WASHINGTON — As Congressional leaders and White House officials huddle behind closed doors to settle their differences on health care legislation, one of the most powerful voices in the debate — President Obama’s — has grown noticeably quieter.
After spending much of the summer and most of September banging his presidential drum in favor of a health care overhaul, Mr. Obama, entering what one senior White House official called “a quiet period,” is intentionally lowering his public profile on the issue, for the moment.
The idea, aides said, is for the president to take a breather while Democrats resolve their internal conflicts, so he can come back strong with a fresh sales pitch when the legislation moves closer to floor votes.
SOURCE: New York Times
After spending much of the summer and most of September banging his presidential drum in favor of a health care overhaul, Mr. Obama, entering what one senior White House official called “a quiet period,” is intentionally lowering his public profile on the issue, for the moment.
The idea, aides said, is for the president to take a breather while Democrats resolve their internal conflicts, so he can come back strong with a fresh sales pitch when the legislation moves closer to floor votes.
SOURCE: New York Times
Dems eye insurance industry's antitrust protection
WASHINGTON (AP) - Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws, according to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama's effort to overhaul the health care industry.
If enacted, the switch would mean greater federal regulation for an industry that recently has stepped up its criticism of portions of a health care bill moving toward the Senate floor.
SOURCE: My Way News
If enacted, the switch would mean greater federal regulation for an industry that recently has stepped up its criticism of portions of a health care bill moving toward the Senate floor.
SOURCE: My Way News
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
GOP Launches Strategy to Trip Up Health Bill
Senate Republicans, acknowledging they lack the votes to block a health care reform bill outright, have implemented a comprehensive political strategy to delay, define and derail.
With Democratic leaders and White House officials holed up in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) office negotiating a final bill, Republicans are demanding a deceleration of the process and moving to define whatever plan that emerges as a combination of Medicare cuts, tax increases, higher insurance premiums and rising overall costs.
SOURCE: Roll Call
With Democratic leaders and White House officials holed up in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) office negotiating a final bill, Republicans are demanding a deceleration of the process and moving to define whatever plan that emerges as a combination of Medicare cuts, tax increases, higher insurance premiums and rising overall costs.
SOURCE: Roll Call
Public Option Gets New Life in Senate
WASHINGTON -- The idea of creating a government-run health-insurance plan, once on life support in the Senate, is making a recovery among Democrats writing health-care legislation.
So far, no one is talking about a nationwide Medicare-like plan of the sort sought by many liberals, but several variations short of a national plan are being considered.
One would establish a national plan only if other proposals in the Democrat-led health overhaul fail to expand insurance coverage. Another would create a government plan, but allow states to opt out. Still another would allow states to opt in to a government plan, or experiment with their own plans. Prospects are growing that one of these variations -- or a blend of them -- will make it into the final Senate bill.
"This issue is alive, and we're looking at it," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.).
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
So far, no one is talking about a nationwide Medicare-like plan of the sort sought by many liberals, but several variations short of a national plan are being considered.
One would establish a national plan only if other proposals in the Democrat-led health overhaul fail to expand insurance coverage. Another would create a government plan, but allow states to opt out. Still another would allow states to opt in to a government plan, or experiment with their own plans. Prospects are growing that one of these variations -- or a blend of them -- will make it into the final Senate bill.
"This issue is alive, and we're looking at it," said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D., Mont.).
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Health Care Text
Six days after the Senate Finance Committee approved a health reform bill, the panel released the legislative text to go along with that effort. It totals out at 1,502 pages, with all kinds of fine print for you to explore.
A BILL
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.
(very large file)
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
A BILL
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.
(very large file)
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Medicare Doc Fix
Democrats have brought to the floor of the Senate a bill that would fix the payment issue by doing away with scheduled big cuts in doctor payments.
Except that the cost would not be offset. In other words, the money would just be added to the federal deficit.
That hasn't impressed more fiscally conscious Democrats in the Congress, who argue this should be part of health care reform, not an "off-budget" maneuver outside of health reform.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Except that the cost would not be offset. In other words, the money would just be added to the federal deficit.
That hasn't impressed more fiscally conscious Democrats in the Congress, who argue this should be part of health care reform, not an "off-budget" maneuver outside of health reform.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Monday, October 19, 2009
Nuclear Option on Obamcare Goes Forward
Nuclear Option on Health Care Effort Heads to Budget Committee
House Democrats pulled the trigger last week on the nuclear option for H.R. 3200, the government takeover of health care, setting into motion the process that would allow passage of the bill with 51 votes in the Senate.
SOURCE: Human Events
House Democrats pulled the trigger last week on the nuclear option for H.R. 3200, the government takeover of health care, setting into motion the process that would allow passage of the bill with 51 votes in the Senate.
SOURCE: Human Events
'Doc Fix' Is Back
WASHINGTON — The infamous "doc fix" is back. If it becomes reality, home care advocates again fear the government will come looking for ways to make up the revenue shortfall.
This time around, the fix would amount to a "freeze" as codified in the proposed bill S. 1776. The measure would repeal the current Medicare physician payment system at a cost of about $247 billion over 10 years.
SOURCE: HomeCare
This time around, the fix would amount to a "freeze" as codified in the proposed bill S. 1776. The measure would repeal the current Medicare physician payment system at a cost of about $247 billion over 10 years.
SOURCE: HomeCare
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Health Care Roundup
One interesting item that leaked out was that Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid supposedly told doctor's groups that there would be no medical malpractice reforms in the Democrats' bill.
That means a showdown on that issue for sure on the Senate floor, just one of the many issues that will have to be settled in coming weeks.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
That means a showdown on that issue for sure on the Senate floor, just one of the many issues that will have to be settled in coming weeks.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
House Democrats pull nuclear option
Based on that information Ways and Means Republicans sought to offer amendments to the House Democrats’ healthcare bill yesterday. Unfortunately those amendments and the voices of the American people were shut out when Ways and Means Democrats rammed through a letter instructing the House Budget Committee to consider healthcare under reconciliation – which requires only 51 votes for Senate passage as opposed to the normal 60 votes. In taking this nuclear option on healthcare, House Democrat leaders sent a clear signal that they plan to go it alone – without the support of the American people, without bipartisan support and without the support of many of their fellow Democrats.
SOURCE: The Hill
SOURCE: The Hill
House, Senate Dems at odds on health care
WASHINGTON - It's not just Democrats and Republicans who are at odds over health care reform. House and Senate Democrats are going after each other over the shape of the legislation that is President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.
[...] The big sticking points are these:
Government insurance:
House Democrats are adamant about allowing the government to sell insurance to people who don't have affordable care and are too young for Medicare or make too much money for Medicaid. The government-run Medicare program covers the elderly, while Medicaid offers coverage to the poor. The leading Senate bill contains no such public option and even if senators ultimately agree to some public plan variant, it's certain to be much weaker than the House version. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has staked out an uncompromising position on the issue. "I want to send our conferees to the table with the most muscle for America's middle class," she says.
Employer responsibility:
The House includes a requirement for employers to provide insurance coverage to their employees or pay a penalty. There's no such mandate in the leading Senate bill. Instead, employers would be required to pay a fee for any employee who obtains coverage with government subsidies. The distinction may seem subtle, but it makes a big difference to business groups and Democrats on both ends of the ideological spectrum.
Paying for the bill:
In recent weeks, the issue of affordability has become central to the health overhaul debate, in part because it's a critical concern for Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, who has considerable leverage as the only Republican in Congress to have voted in favor of Democratic health care legislation. The House offers more generous subsidies to lower-income people than the Senate, and senators have already talked about adjusting their subsidies upward. That's where the cost of the bill and the different methods used to pay for it in the House and Senate come in.
SOURCE: MSNBC
[...] The big sticking points are these:
Government insurance:
House Democrats are adamant about allowing the government to sell insurance to people who don't have affordable care and are too young for Medicare or make too much money for Medicaid. The government-run Medicare program covers the elderly, while Medicaid offers coverage to the poor. The leading Senate bill contains no such public option and even if senators ultimately agree to some public plan variant, it's certain to be much weaker than the House version. Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California has staked out an uncompromising position on the issue. "I want to send our conferees to the table with the most muscle for America's middle class," she says.
Employer responsibility:
The House includes a requirement for employers to provide insurance coverage to their employees or pay a penalty. There's no such mandate in the leading Senate bill. Instead, employers would be required to pay a fee for any employee who obtains coverage with government subsidies. The distinction may seem subtle, but it makes a big difference to business groups and Democrats on both ends of the ideological spectrum.
Paying for the bill:
In recent weeks, the issue of affordability has become central to the health overhaul debate, in part because it's a critical concern for Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, who has considerable leverage as the only Republican in Congress to have voted in favor of Democratic health care legislation. The House offers more generous subsidies to lower-income people than the Senate, and senators have already talked about adjusting their subsidies upward. That's where the cost of the bill and the different methods used to pay for it in the House and Senate come in.
SOURCE: MSNBC
‘Reconciliation’ – Never Meant For Policy
NOTE: This press release from the Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee is a great description and history of the reconciliation legislative process. It contains FAQs and numerous quotes from Senator Byrd who created the process, as well as other Senators. A great resource. Short sample:
SOURCE: Sweetness & Light
Reconciliation: Not What The Doctor Ordered
Reconciliation is a Fiscal Policy Tool
- Tool to enhance Congress’s ability to change current law to bring spending and revenues in line with levels assumed in budget resolution.
- Reconciliation instructions are numerical targets and are not program-specific.
- Reconciliation allows Congress as a whole to push committees with jurisdiction over direct spending (and taxes) to legislate changes to programs that would otherwise be on automatic pilot to meet the numerical targets included in instructions.
- Reconciliation legislation is considered in the Senate under expedited procedures: debate is limited to 20 hours, non-germane amendments are not in order, a vote is guaranteed and requires only a simple majority to pass.
The Principal Focus of the Reconciliation Process Has Been Deficit Reduction
- In some years reconciliation has involved revenue reduction and spending increases in selected areas.
SOURCE: Sweetness & Light
Friday, October 16, 2009
Baucus: All Senate Dems will support health bill
WASHINGTON – When it comes time to vote, every Democrat in the Senate — and perhaps more than one Republican — will support legislation overhauling the nation's health care system, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee predicted Thursday.
That assertion by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was a notable show of confidence coming in the midst of negotiations with Majority Leader Harry Reid and White House officials to finalize legislation that can satisfy liberal Democrats without alienating moderates — and get the 60 votes needed to advance in the 100-seat Senate.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
That assertion by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., was a notable show of confidence coming in the midst of negotiations with Majority Leader Harry Reid and White House officials to finalize legislation that can satisfy liberal Democrats without alienating moderates — and get the 60 votes needed to advance in the 100-seat Senate.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
Thursday, October 15, 2009
House Gears Up For Reconciliation Maneuver
The House Ways and Means Committee has agreed to send H.R. 3200, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, to the House Budget Committee.
By packaging the bill as a budget bill, House leaders might be able to use a process called the “reconciliation” process to get a health reform bill through the Senate with just 51 votes, rather than 60 votes normally required.
Senators trying to win passage of ordinary Senate bills need to have 60 votes to prevent opponents from “filibustering,” or engaging in endless rounds of discussion. But Senate budget reconciliation procedures permit budget bills to pass with a simple majority of the votes cast.
SOURCE: National Underwriter
By packaging the bill as a budget bill, House leaders might be able to use a process called the “reconciliation” process to get a health reform bill through the Senate with just 51 votes, rather than 60 votes normally required.
Senators trying to win passage of ordinary Senate bills need to have 60 votes to prevent opponents from “filibustering,” or engaging in endless rounds of discussion. But Senate budget reconciliation procedures permit budget bills to pass with a simple majority of the votes cast.
SOURCE: National Underwriter
Dems Go Nuclear on Obamacare
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) held a hearing this morning to certify that H.R. 3200 -- the main House Obamacare bill which was the subject of all the town hall rage in August -- has met all requirements to pass as a “budget reconciliation” measure.
Under reconciliation, the bill can be passed by a simple majority vote in the Senate -- just 51 votes -- and will be given preferential treatment on the House floor as well. The Dems have apparently invoked the “nuclear option” to shut out Republicans and ensure the bill is passed before the end of the year.
SOURCE: Human Events
Under reconciliation, the bill can be passed by a simple majority vote in the Senate -- just 51 votes -- and will be given preferential treatment on the House floor as well. The Dems have apparently invoked the “nuclear option” to shut out Republicans and ensure the bill is passed before the end of the year.
SOURCE: Human Events
Next On Health Reform
For liberals, issue number one right now is making sure a public insurance option gets in the Senate bill. It is not in this Finance Committee measure.
[...] Snowe made clear several times on Tuesday, that she will not support any parliamentary effort to move forward, unless there is a full CBO budget review, and a lot of transparency.
"The credibility of the process will dictate the credibility of the outcome," said Snowe.
In other words, if you try to jam this thing through the Senate without time for Republicans to offer amendments and to look through the bill, you might have problems.
That tells me that we will be lucky to have a final vote on health care reform in the Senate by Veterans Day, let alone Thanksgiving.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
[...] Snowe made clear several times on Tuesday, that she will not support any parliamentary effort to move forward, unless there is a full CBO budget review, and a lot of transparency.
"The credibility of the process will dictate the credibility of the outcome," said Snowe.
In other words, if you try to jam this thing through the Senate without time for Republicans to offer amendments and to look through the bill, you might have problems.
That tells me that we will be lucky to have a final vote on health care reform in the Senate by Veterans Day, let alone Thanksgiving.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Jingle Bells
The days are ticking by in 2009, and the more I think about it, the more likely it seems to this reporter that Congress could be working well into December on health care reform.
Why might it take that long?
Well, even if Democrats produce a final bill for debate in the House and Senate soon, it is going to most likely take several weeks for the Congressional Budget Office to review those bills and see how much they cost, who gets covered, the budget effects, etc.
It is not required, but enough members in both parties have made noise about such a move that it should be built into any Health Reform Timeline.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Why might it take that long?
Well, even if Democrats produce a final bill for debate in the House and Senate soon, it is going to most likely take several weeks for the Congressional Budget Office to review those bills and see how much they cost, who gets covered, the budget effects, etc.
It is not required, but enough members in both parties have made noise about such a move that it should be built into any Health Reform Timeline.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Another GOP senator open to health care overhaul
[...] While emphasizing that she still opposes the so-called public option, Snowe said in a nationally broadcast interview that she could foresee a government-run plan that would "kick in" if private insurers failed to live up to expectations that they keep premiums in check.
"I think the government would have a disproportionate advantage" in the event of a government-run option, Snowe acknowledged. At the same time, she added, "I want to make sure the insurance industry performs, and that's why we eliminate many egregious practices." If the industry didn't follow through on congressionally-mandated changes aimed at making health care more affordable, she said, "then you could have the public option kick in immediately."
[...] House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters that it was unlikely that the House would vote before the first week of November. He said he expected a vote by Christmas but was making no guarantees.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he wants move quickly to merge the Finance bill with a version passed earlier by the Senate health committee. His goal is to get health care overhaul legislation onto the floor the week after next.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
"I think the government would have a disproportionate advantage" in the event of a government-run option, Snowe acknowledged. At the same time, she added, "I want to make sure the insurance industry performs, and that's why we eliminate many egregious practices." If the industry didn't follow through on congressionally-mandated changes aimed at making health care more affordable, she said, "then you could have the public option kick in immediately."
[...] House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told reporters that it was unlikely that the House would vote before the first week of November. He said he expected a vote by Christmas but was making no guarantees.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he wants move quickly to merge the Finance bill with a version passed earlier by the Senate health committee. His goal is to get health care overhaul legislation onto the floor the week after next.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
White House, Top Democrats Begin Herculean Task of Merging Health Reform Bills
With all five congressional health care bills finally out of committee and with a summer of tempestuous town hall meetings behind them, the White House and top Democrats must merge the different bills into versions that can win a majority in the House and get the 60 votes needed to pass in the Senate -- even as the Congressional Budget Office admits it can't confirm whether the legislation will save Americans a dime.
[...] For now, all eyes are on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has said he wants to complete the wedding quickly and get historic health care overhaul legislation onto the Senate floor by the week of Oct 26.
SOURCE: Fox News
[...] For now, all eyes are on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who has said he wants to complete the wedding quickly and get historic health care overhaul legislation onto the Senate floor by the week of Oct 26.
SOURCE: Fox News
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
5 Thoughts On the Baucus Bill
The Senate Finance Committee is poised to vote today on Chairman Max Baucus' health care plan.
If one had to bet, one would bet that the Democrats are likely, in the end, to "get something." Public option? Probably not. Universal coverage? Definitely not. "Bending the curve" on costs? Definitely not. But that's OK, because "muddling through" is always a good option in a democratic society. The joke floating around Washington is that if a piece of paper bearing only the words, "Health Care Reform Act of 2009" floated onto Barack Obama's desk, he would happily sign it and take credit for it: mission accomplished.
But the question is, why has it been so hard for the Democrats? After all, there's a Democratic president who campaigned on health care reform and who won in the biggest landslide for a Democrat in more than four decades. And, not only that, the Democrats have huge majorities in both houses of Congress.
So why the difficulty? I can think of five reasons, which are full of implications for this bill as it struggles to come to life in the years ahead.
(more)
SOURCE: Fox News
If one had to bet, one would bet that the Democrats are likely, in the end, to "get something." Public option? Probably not. Universal coverage? Definitely not. "Bending the curve" on costs? Definitely not. But that's OK, because "muddling through" is always a good option in a democratic society. The joke floating around Washington is that if a piece of paper bearing only the words, "Health Care Reform Act of 2009" floated onto Barack Obama's desk, he would happily sign it and take credit for it: mission accomplished.
But the question is, why has it been so hard for the Democrats? After all, there's a Democratic president who campaigned on health care reform and who won in the biggest landslide for a Democrat in more than four decades. And, not only that, the Democrats have huge majorities in both houses of Congress.
So why the difficulty? I can think of five reasons, which are full of implications for this bill as it struggles to come to life in the years ahead.
(more)
SOURCE: Fox News
Senate panel passes health bill
The finance committee's bill must now be combined with a bill drafted by the Senate Health Committee before going to the full Senate for a vote. It is not guaranteed to pass, as it needs all the Democrats, two independents and one Republican to vote in favour.
[...] Lawmakers are divided, however, over whether there should be a new government-run insurance scheme - the so-called "public option".
The finance committee's bill is the only one not to include a public option, an element advocated by Mr Obama and some Democrats as the means of creating competition between insurers.
SOURCE: BBC News
[...] Lawmakers are divided, however, over whether there should be a new government-run insurance scheme - the so-called "public option".
The finance committee's bill is the only one not to include a public option, an element advocated by Mr Obama and some Democrats as the means of creating competition between insurers.
SOURCE: BBC News
Senate Finance Panel Approves Health Bill, 14-9
WASHINGTON – The Senate Finance Committee Tuesday approved its health-overhaul measure, pushing a revamp of the U.S.'s health-care system closer to reality than it has been in decades.
[...] Senate Democratic leaders must now merge the Finance bill with a more liberal measure approved by the Senate health committee.
Among the issues on the table: whether the legislation should include a government-run health plan. As it stands, the Finance bill doesn't include one. Instead, the measure would create a network of nonprofit health cooperatives to compete with private insurers.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
[...] Senate Democratic leaders must now merge the Finance bill with a more liberal measure approved by the Senate health committee.
Among the issues on the table: whether the legislation should include a government-run health plan. As it stands, the Finance bill doesn't include one. Instead, the measure would create a network of nonprofit health cooperatives to compete with private insurers.
SOURCE: Wall Street Journal
Senate committee approves health overhaul bill
WASHINGTON – A pivotal Senate committee has approved a sweeping remake of the country's health care system, delivering a long-sought boost to President Barack Obama's goal of expanding coverage.
The 14-9 vote in the Senate Finance Committee sets up a historic debate on the Senate floor and moves health care overhaul closer to reality than it has been for decades.
Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine was the only Republican to join 13 committee Democrats in voting "yes."
[...] Health care legislation is expected to be on the Senate floor the week after next, said a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. But it won't be the Baucus bill. Reid will combine the Finance version with a more liberal proposal from the health committee -- with unpredictable results.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
The 14-9 vote in the Senate Finance Committee sets up a historic debate on the Senate floor and moves health care overhaul closer to reality than it has been for decades.
Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine was the only Republican to join 13 committee Democrats in voting "yes."
[...] Health care legislation is expected to be on the Senate floor the week after next, said a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. But it won't be the Baucus bill. Reid will combine the Finance version with a more liberal proposal from the health committee -- with unpredictable results.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Yahoo News
GOP's Snowe will vote for Democratic health bill
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe broke with her party Tuesday and said she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, handing President Barack Obama a much-sought boost in his quest to expand access to medical coverage to all Americans.
SOURCE: Associated Press > Andrew Breitbart
SOURCE: Associated Press > Andrew Breitbart
Snowe's a yes on health bill -- for now
WASHINGTON -- Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine, just announced she will vote in favor of the Senate Finance Committee health care bill, which the committee is considering today. She is likely to be the only member of the GOP to do so, and her support gives Democratic leaders a shot of momentum as they continue their efforts to pass a major health care bill this year.
SOURCE: Boston Globe
SOURCE: Boston Globe
The Brawl Begins
The big question right now is whether the insurance industry will start running TV and radio ads against health reform. They could certainly dump millions of dollars on such a campaign at a moment's notice and probably have a big impact. On Monday, their chief Washington lobbyist was not ruling out such a media move.
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
SOURCE: Jamie Dupree
Sen. Snow To Vote Yes, Move Bill Out of Committee
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) announced that she will vote for the Senate Finance Committee health care bill. She is the first Republican to support the bill. The committee is expected to vote this afternoon on the legislation.
Source: C-SPAN website
Source: C-SPAN website
FreedomWorks News Digest
Issue: Senate Health Care Bill
Latest:
Latest:
- 10/13/2009 - The Truth About the Baucus Bill
- 10/07/2009 - $829 Billion for New Senate Health Care Bill ... Maybe
- 10/08/2009 - Interested in Reading the Baucus Health Care Legislation?
- 09/23/2009 - Sources Say Baucus Bill Gives FBI Open Access to All Medicare and Medicaid Records
- More...
SOURCE: FreedomWorks
GOP's Snowe voting for Democrats' health care bill
Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe says she will vote for a Democratic health care bill, breaking with her party on President Barack Obama's top legislative priority.
The Maine senator kept virtually all of Washington guessing how she would vote until she announced it late in the Senate Finance Committee debate Tuesday. Until then, she told reporters, she had not even let Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in on her secret. She told her colleagues: "When history calls, history calls," even though she had some criticism of the bill.
Democrats, aware that Snowe could be the only Republican in Congress to vote for their health care overhaul, have spent months addressing her concerns about making health care affordable and how to pay for it.
SOURCE: TownHall.com
The Maine senator kept virtually all of Washington guessing how she would vote until she announced it late in the Senate Finance Committee debate Tuesday. Until then, she told reporters, she had not even let Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in on her secret. She told her colleagues: "When history calls, history calls," even though she had some criticism of the bill.
Democrats, aware that Snowe could be the only Republican in Congress to vote for their health care overhaul, have spent months addressing her concerns about making health care affordable and how to pay for it.
SOURCE: TownHall.com
Baucus: Health care plan can pass Senate
"Ours is a balanced plan that can pass the Senate," declared Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont. Health care legislation is expected to be on the Senate floor the week after next, said a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who must combine the Finance version with a more liberal proposal from the health committee...Across the Capitol, House Democratic leaders are working to finalize their bill, which does contain a public plan, and floor action is expected in both chambers in coming weeks. If passed, the legislation would then go to a conference committee to reconcile differences.
SOURCE: Associated Press
SOURCE: Associated Press
Mark-up = Bill?
Just got an e-mail stating the mark up will be the "bill" that will be voted on.
Has anyone heard if this is true?
Baucus: 'Time to get the job done' on health care
WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has convened his panel for a long-anticipated vote on sweeping health overhaul legislation. He declared that "pretty much everything's been said and now it's time to get the job done."
The expected approval by Baucus' committee would mark the biggest step forward yet for President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. The Baucus-pushed 10-year, $829-billion plan would require all Americans to purchase insurance and aims to hold down spiraling medical costs over the long term.
SOURCE: Associated Press
The expected approval by Baucus' committee would mark the biggest step forward yet for President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. The Baucus-pushed 10-year, $829-billion plan would require all Americans to purchase insurance and aims to hold down spiraling medical costs over the long term.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Monday, October 12, 2009
Finance committee health vote will require a leap of faith for senators
Several members of the Senate Finance Committee will have to make leaps of faith if the panel is to approve a healthcare reform bill on Tuesday.
Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) got a big boost in the form of a favorable score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) last week, but it did very little to assuage the skeptics on his panel.
SOURCE: The Hill
Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) got a big boost in the form of a favorable score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) last week, but it did very little to assuage the skeptics on his panel.
SOURCE: The Hill
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